‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Blu-Ray Review: Third Thor Is Tops

Easily the best installment in the Thor trilogy, Thor: Ragnarok has come home on digital download, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD. It is by pure definition a must-own for any fan of Marvel, superhero movies, Chris Hemsworth, the character of Thor or even the medium of film itself. Yup, I said it.

Adored by critics (92-percent on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences alike ($845 million in international box office sales), Thor: Ragnarok is a colorful, action-and-humor-packed third installment of the God of Thunder’s journey that finds our hero in a race against time effort to save his homeland… all without his legendary hammer!

He’s going to need all the help he can get, and yes that means recruiting some old friends (Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk), new friends (Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie) and even familial foes (Tom Hiddleston triumphantly returns as that little devil Loki) to face down Asgard’s greatest threat of all time. That arrives in the form of the merciless Hela (Cate Blanchett). She has a vendetta and seeks retribution in the utter destruction of Thor’s home planet.

One of the most brilliant strokes of genius of the entire creative process of bringing this film to life was Marvel’s chief Kevin Feige taking a chance and hiring director Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows). The New Zealand helmer had only previously worked on small budget flicks. When he was handed the keys to the Rolls Royce (aka a Marvel movie), might we say he turned in something that was even more luminously luxurious than when he got it… no easy task. His trademark sense of humor, pitch-perfect cinematic timing, and visual wizardry were all impeccable ingredients that added up to the most delicious of film feasts.

Waititi took the screenplay from Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle and Christopher L. Yost and injected it with his unique sensibilities that elevated what some had felt was one of the weaker solo series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to its upper echelon. One of his many strokes of genius that has to be highlighted was the tapping of Jeff Goldblum to portray the Grandmaster. A central and pivotal role that could not have been better suited for the unique talents of one of our most beloved thespians. That is merely the tip of the iceberg of awesomeness that Waititi brought to the project.

Much as the Russo brothers served as manna from heaven for the Captain America solo series, history will now see the New Zealand visionary in exactly the same manner.

Now, let’s get down to the elements that make home video releases so special… those coveted extras! Marvel (and its parent company, Disney, too) always have a bevy of bonus features that add layers of insight to the experience while they enlighten and entertain. Thor: Ragnarok is no different. From deleted scenes, outtakes and that highly anticipated third part of the mockumentary “Team Thor,” which is retitled “Team Darryl,” it is a varied batch of video content that will find longtime and new fans both cheering.

There are a series of deleted and extended scenes that are must-sees after the conclusion of the film itself. Not going to give away a thing in terms of the content of those, but fans should be giddy simply reading the names of them. Deleted scenes include “The Sorcerer Supreme,” “Skurge Finds Heimdall” and “Hulk Chases Thor Through Sakaar.” Then, there are the extended scenes: “Thor Meets the Grandmaster” (more reasons to adore Goldblum), “Stupid Avenger vs. Tiny Avenger” and “Grandmaster and Topaz.”

Humor plays an enormous part of the entire Thor: Ragnarok experience, one could even argue it is the most hilarious of the Marvel movies. The featurette “Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor” finds Waititi showcasing his sharp sense of humor that brings out an element of the title character that has truly always been there… his own sense of the silly. This bonus feature explores the impact Hemsworth has made to the evolution of the adored character. Also chiming in are the cast and crew and we see why the humor was so easy to capture for Waititi — everyone had a blast making the film. And that old adage could never be truer… if the cast is having fun, the audience will too.

Speaking of humor and given what we’ve already told you about that cast having a blast, do not miss the “Thor: Ragnarok Gag Reel.”

Adding to the comedic cavalcade that is Thor: Ragnarok, the exclusive short Team Darryl is next on our list of must-see bonus features. The Grandmaster has been unseated as ruler of Sakaar and decides to head to Earth to commence his next chapter on his life journey. Thor left Australia over a year ago and his former roommate Darryl is having a little trouble paying the rent. Lucky for him, the Grandmaster is seeking a place to call home. Yes, the humor of the highest order does ensue.

Thor has never had a shortage of strong female characters and that is never truer than with its latest chapter. Shining a spotlight on the biggies in Thor: Ragnarok is “Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie.” What we particularly treasure about this gem of a bonus feature is how it does not limit the scope of this film itself. It is put into context how these strong female characters fit into an extensive line of wickedly awesome women in the entire MCU.

“Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years – The Evolution of Heroes” is a priceless look back at the Hollywood powerhouse’s first decade. To say that they have changed the movie world landscape is an understatement. This featurette will be the belle of the ball for any Marvel fan and it goes deep in its look at the comic book studio’s universe that literally transcends time and space. It also serves as a compass illuminating where all our heroes are in the Marvel world as Thor: Ragnarok closes and Avengers: Infinity War looms on the horizon.

Lastly, we adore the short “Journey into Mystery.” The featurette delves deep into the making of Thor: Ragnarok with the writers, director and producer extraordinaire Feige. They discuss inspirations for the film that emanate from the comics. The highlight must be their insight into how the contest of champions and the Grandmaster forced our favorite heroes to fight against each other, something from the film that was lifted right from the pages of the comics. Even comic legends Walt Simonson and Jack Kirby contribute to this piece that is utter perfection.